You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
In plain words
You cannot choose what happens, but you can choose what you think about it.
Where these words come from
- 40% sureLots of sources credit Marcus Aurelius with this, and they agree with each other. The book or the speech it first came from hasn't turned up yet.
- Popular modern paraphrase of Meditations VIII.47 (trans. George Long, 1862): "it is not this thing that disturbs thee, but thy own judgement about it." Condensed wording is not Long's or any primary translation — paraphrase class, stays likely.
More from Marcus Aurelius
See allWaste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.
Marcus AureliusNever let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.Marcus AureliusWe are made for co-operation, like feet, like hands, like eyelids, like the rows of the upper and lower teeth.Marcus AureliusThe best way of avenging thyself is not to become like the wrong doer.Marcus AureliusGive thyself time to learn something new and good, and cease to be whirled around.Marcus AureliusMen exist for the sake of one another. Teach them then, or bear with them.Marcus Aurelius
Marcus AureliusNever let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.Marcus AureliusWe are made for co-operation, like feet, like hands, like eyelids, like the rows of the upper and lower teeth.Marcus AureliusThe best way of avenging thyself is not to become like the wrong doer.Marcus AureliusGive thyself time to learn something new and good, and cease to be whirled around.Marcus AureliusMen exist for the sake of one another. Teach them then, or bear with them.Marcus AureliusMore on wisdom
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
Sun TzuThe wound is the place where the light enters you.
RumiAn unexamined life is not worth living.
SocratesWonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.
PlatoHowever far a stream flows, it never forgets its source.Yoruba proverbYou can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.
Rabindranath Tagore
Sun TzuThe wound is the place where the light enters you.RumiAn unexamined life is not worth living.SocratesWonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.PlatoHowever far a stream flows, it never forgets its source.Yoruba proverbYou can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.Rabindranath Tagore